Crystal River current., 1887-04-23
His Second Wife.

II must say. Mildred, that everybody
Il mean all your friends-were per-
fectly astonished at your marrying
John Vernon" sad Miss Lay, as she
tossed her gloves on the little table be-
fore her, and settled herself comfort
ably in her chair.
':AU my friends. So that includes
you, of course" said Mildred. with a
little nervous laugh that was meant to
hide her annoyance.
We'll" and Miss lay looked
thoughtfully up at the ceiling. then
down again, Il confess was astonish-
ed! In the first place your husband is
verging on forty, an age quite unsuited
to your youth and beauty" with little
complimentary nod toward Mildred,
which the latter affected not to see =
''then you are his second choice, and
have too often heard you express your
opinion of widowers in general not to
be-
Zone is privileged to change ones
opinion, l suppose" interrupted Mil
dred. quickly and defiantly.
'Of course!' said Miss Law, not at
all abashed at Mildred's look and tone.
'But the question is how You managed
to uproot your strong prejudice"
II don't think it absolutely necessary
for me to relate how the wonderful
change came about" said NIildrod, I'M
patiently. and with look OF sudden
anger in her eyes.
Now, Milly. there is no need of get
ting angry. You know I've always
felt privileged to say what l pleased
without fear of offending you" and
Miss Lay elevated her pretty eyebrows
and regarded Mildred with 4 look of
amusement. 'Knowing your disposi-
ton so we'll, can't help wondering at
your choice. Not that find anything
Objectionable in the character of Mr..
Vernon" she added, hastily, seeing
that Mildred was on the point of speak
ing, 'but it must be mortifying. to say
the least, to girl of your proud. sensi-
tive nature, to have the virtues of Mrs.
Vernon Number One continually dinned
into his ears. for, of course, now that
she's dead and gone she had no faults,
poor woman" and the corners of Miss
Lays rosy mouth came down with n
sudden comical jerk that. under any
other circumstances. would have pro-
vokcd laugh from Mildred.
.1f it were any one else but you,
Lizzie, l wouldn't listen to such nom
sensen' exclaimed Mildred, with a look
of lofty scorn, '.but knowing your friv-
olous nature so well, l can readily eX-
cuse you.h
'.knowing my GOOD nature so WELL"
corrected Miss Lay, with laugh.
"Now confess that your husband is Tor
ever sounding the praises OF Mrs. Ver-
non Number One"
Forever is long word, and l shall
confess nothing of the kind. because it
is not true," said Mildred. smotherIng
strong desire to box Miss Lady's ears.
'I'll wager anything he's called you
Helen dozen times since you were
married. said Miss Lay, with provok-
ing persistence.
1 wouldn't mind it in the least" said
Mildred. telling deliberate falsehood
with placid face.
"And that picture" remarked Miss
Lay, indicating with n sweep of her
hand the portrait on the opposite wall.
Of a fair-laired, blue-eyed woman, II
y
before you. Let ME see, what is that
verse about. ''black eyes and bluep
Oh I have it now:
The black eye may say:
Come and worship my ray,
BY adorng perhaps you may move me.n
But the blue eye half hid,
Says from under its lid,
u love and am yours if you'll love me-"
''Why not have your picture under
meath BY way Of contrast and label 1t
MRS. John Vernon Number Two?"
''It was my own request that the
picture should not be removed" said
Mildred, utterly ignoring the last
question, while the sudden ominus
sparkle in her dark eyes warned Miss
Lay that she was venturing too fairy
Don't mind my nonsense, Milly.
You know was never serious in my
life. and l really couldn't resist the
temptation to tease you little this
morning. am sure 1 meant no
o6ense. Now. Mildred, please don't
assume that high and mighty air with
me, It never did have the least effect.
Well' seeing that Mildred still looked